Golf club



Jam, M, 1936. A. CUNNINGHAM 2,@2?,635

GOLF CLUB Filed Jan. 28, 1931 Jiemndey 6402??? m Patented Jan. 14, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GOLF CLUB Application January 28, 1931, Serial No. 511,769

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to golf clubs, and more in particular to a novel shaft construction therefor.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide a novel shaft for a golf club, the form of said shaft being suitably adapted for construction of either wood or metal. In the present commercial constructions of shafts for golf clubs, the average golfer has the tendency of taking the club head back too rapidly on the upstroke, causing the player to fail to control his club, or to swing the same through the proper arc with loss of rhythm so essential to the proper golf swing, the result often being a poorly played or dubbed shot. This too rapid upstroke or back swing also frequently causes the player to shift his stance, take his eye oil of the ball, or otherwise fail to properly execute the stroke.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shaft with a concavity for increasing the air resistance on the shaft on the upstroke so as to make the golfer move or swing the club less rapidly on the back swing, thus eliminating to a marked degree the possibility and tendency of the golfer swinging his club back too rapidly, and producing those faults and difficulties resulting therefrom and incident thereto.

A still further object is to provide the shaft with a concavity or groove on the side away from or opposite that of the club face or striking surface. As disclosed, this concavity may extend for substantially the full length of the shaft, or it may extend merely for a portion of such length, the purpose being to increase the air resistance on this back surface of the shaft over that on the usual cylindrical or curved rear surface of the club shafts now in use without in any way affecting the usual down stroke.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efficiency, economy, and

ease of assembly, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear, and are inherently possessed thereby.

The invention further resides in the combination, construction, and arrangements of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and while there is shown therein a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change, and comprehends other details, arrangements of parts, features and constructions, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a view in rear elevation of a golf club provided with a novel shaft construction.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in vertical cross section taken in a plane represented by the line 22 of Fig. I.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view with a part thereof in vertical cross section, disclosing the means for attaching the shaft to the club head.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken in a plane represented by the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken in a plane represented by the line 5-5 of Fig. 1. 10

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken in a plane represented by the line 66 of Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the disclosure in the drawing, the golf club comprises a handle I, shaft 2, and club head 3. As more clearly dis- 16 closed in Fig. 2, the shaft and handle are generally formed integral, although the same may be made separate and connected in any desired manner. The shaft 2 comprises a cylindrical or curved portion 4 gradually decreasing or tapering 20 in cross section from the portion adjacent the handle to where the same is connected to the club head 3. The rear of the shaft, or the side opposite the face of the club head, is provided with a concavity or groove 5 extending for sub- 25 stantially the full length of the shaft, although it is to be understood that this concavity or groove may be but for a portion of the length of the shaft. This groove likewise tapers from adjacent the handle to the club head, this decrease being 30 clearly evident from the disclosure in Figs. 1, 4 and 5 of the drawing.

As disclosed in Figs. 3 and 6, the groove 5 may extended completely to the end of the shaft, in which case the club head is provided with an 35 opening I of a configuration similar to that of a shaft so that the rib 8 seats within the concavity or groove 5 and prevents turning of the shaft in the club head. Any suitable means such as a pin, glue or the like, may be provided for pre- 40 venting ready detachment or withdrawal of the shaft from the club head. As is also clearly evident from Fig. 6, the striking face 9 of the club head is opposite from that of the groove 5 in the shaft. 45

Although the shaft and handle are disclosed as constructed of wood, it is to be understood that this is but one embodiment of the invention, and thus metal may be employed in the construction thereof. Likewise, although the club head is dis closed as of wood, it is to be understood that the shaft construction is suitably and admirably adapted for use in any of the various iron clubs,

including the putter. 56

From the above description and the disclosure in the drawing, it will be readily seen that I have provided a novel golf club, and more particularly a novel shaft construction suitable for use in any of the various types of golf clubs, the same permitting and effecting a more perfect control 01' the golf swing.

Having thus disclosed my invention,

I claim:

In a golf club construction, a shaft of substantially round cross section on the front surface and provided with a groove on the rear surface whereby to increase the air resistance on the back swing, said groove being of a width approximately equal to the maximum width of the shaft.

ALEXANDER CUNNINGHAM. 

